CNET: For Grads & Dads

MacRumors notes that randomizing the MAC addresses of iOS devices when scanning for Wi-Fi networks will make it more difficult for companies to track and gather location data on a customer. Since every iOS device has a unique MAC address it could easily be used for location tracking and data collection via Wi-Fi scanning.

According to the slide, Wi-Fi scanning behavior in iOS 8 "has been changed to use random, locally administered MAC addresses" and said MAC addresses "may not always be the device's real (universal) address." Nice.

Chalk it up as a victory for users concerned about their privacy because iOS 8 devices can't be tracked while doing something as pedestrian as searching for an available Wi-Fi network (which almost every device does).

Mobile marketers that salivate over such device data will undoubtedly be disappointed in Apple's decision, but it's a win for consumers and re-emphasizes Apple's commitment to privacy.